AIR DANGERS.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 February 1924, Page 3

AIR DANGERS.

POSSIBILITIES OF FUTURE. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. .Received this day at 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 21. Admiral Burney in an article in the “Sunday Times" says: “Eight hundred modern aeroplanes could drop 170 tons of bombs oil London in 24 hours, and be able to keep up a bomb attack of fifty-seven tons daily, over an indefinite period. A city of the size ol Paris could be blotted out in two or three weeks by one hundred aeroplanes. ‘AYo must reckon oil one hundred casualties for each ton of bombs dropped, so tit the most moderate estimate the casualties from the air daily in Baris under the present conditions would be eight to twelve thousand. Moreover, by the use of incendiary bombs-it- could he sot afire. In America there were aeroplanes capable of carrying nearly five tons weight of bombs. Plans exist for larger machines and a load of ten tons can be contemplated in the future.

A squadron ol one hundred machines could carry one thousand tons of explosive or poison css. There is little doubt that, within a few years it will he possible to destroy a city tnc size of London within a few days.* 1

Burney proceeds to argue that only two policies are possible, either to secure aerial supremacy until universal disarmament is obtained, or to bring alxiut disarmament forthwith. He urges the Dominions should share in the economic upkeep oi the Imperial Air Force. as well as naval and military forces, and emphasises the point that the aerial burden, can be reduced l>v the development of the civil side.